Driving
July 13,2009
Dear Journal,
Today is a very exciting day, because today I am starting a journey around Ohio with my family. This is how it started. Today my Mom woke me up as usual. I got ready for the day and ate breakfast. Then my mom told my little brother Justin to get into the car because we were going on a road trip around Ohio. Even though she didn't call me I went too. Soon my Dad hopped into the car also. I was very curious so I asked Mom where we were going and what we were doing. She answered we are going on a road trip around Ohio and Dad and she were going to take turns driving. Then she added that she had journals for both Justin and I. She also said that Justin and I were supposed to take pictures of things with our cameras that she had just handed us. Now we are driving. W-W-W-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-A-A-A-A-H! I am getting very dizzy, because I am writing in the car.

Good-Bye!
Meredith


Akron
July 14,2009


Dear Journal,
Right now it is about 8:00 p.m. I had a big day today and I am very tired. The hotel I am staying in is the Holiday Inn Express. I think it is pretty fancy! Today we are visiting Akron. We traveled 128 miles, about 2 hours, and went northeast to get here from Columbus. Today my family and I went to the Hale Farm and Village. We got to see what life used to be like in America. Justin wanted to go see what he called "the worker guys" so he and my Dad did that while my Mom and I stayed and toured the house. We also went to the Akron Art Museum. We spent a lot of time there so we had to hurry to get some other things done. After that we to the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. It was fun to see the beautiful flowers. They were so pretty I felt like I had to take a picture of them.
Ohhhhh pretty!
Ohhhhh pretty!

My Dad got tired of being there so we decided to go to go to the Akron Zoo soon after that. We saw a very cute baby koala there. It was named Gojoe. It was getting darker so we went to the Harry London Chocolate store and factory. I couldn't resist buying a huge chocolate bar! Justin wanted one too so my Dad got out his wallet and bought him one. Now here I am. Wait, I think I just heard Mom call me. I have to go.

Good night!
Meredith

Cincinnati
July 15,2009

Dear Journal,
Once again it is 8:00 p.m. Today we are in Cincinnati. We traveled 239 miles, about 4 hours, and went southwest to get here. We are also staying inside of a hotel in the Carew Tower. I think it is very cool to be so high up. I decided to take a picture of the Carew tower after we got out of our car!
Yowee! This is TALL!
Yowee! This is TALL!

First we went to the Cincinnati Museum. I liked all of the pretty artwork. Soon after that we decided to go to visit the Ohio River. I thought that it was a interesting sight to see so I took a picture of it.
Some view!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some view!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then we went to the Arts Consortium. I liked the art alot. Justin liked the picture of the Rock Star guitar. My dad went to look at the football pictures, but didn't really see any that impressed him very much. So we left a little bit early. Next we went to the American Sign Museum. I liked the sign that said ''Be with you". So did my Mom. Oh my! It is almost my bed time. I will have to be getting ready for bed shortly!

Good night!
Meredith

Cleveland
July 16,2009

Dear Journal,
It is 7:00 p.m. and I just finished dinner. We are visiting Cleveland today and we are staying at my Great-Grandma's house since she lives there. We traveled 353 miles, about 5 hours, and went northeast from Cincinnati. I am up in a loft-like room that is pretty old but very cozy. Earlier today my family visited the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo. I thought that it was very interesting. I saw lots of cute birds there. We didn't stay there long so we went to the Cleveland Grays Armory. I didn't understand what it was about so my dad filled me in on it. Since we are staying with my Grandma after that we went to talk about things with her, had dinner and here I am! My Mom told Justin and I that next we are going to go to Toledo and on our way there we will pass by Lake Erie. We should travel 117 miles, about 2 hours, and go west to get there from here. I am eager to get there! I am getting tired and I have a big day ahead of me so I better get ready for bed. After that I can get in bed and zonk. Yippie!

Good night!
Meredith

Toledo
July 17,2009

Dear Journal,
It is 8:30 p.m. and my bedtime, so I have a limited amount of time to write. It is true that we saw Lake Erie on our way here. I took a picture of it for proof. Ha!


Wow!
Wow!

The hotel we are staying at is called the Hamption Suites Hotel. In the morning we went to the Toledo Zoo. I thought that it was interesting because it had a giant hippo in it that is not at the Columbus Zoo. I took a picture of it!

Cool sign:)
Cool sign:)

Then we went to visit the Toledo Area Metro Parks place. I saw a lot of nature there including a family of field mice. Justin got bored quickly so we went to the Toledo Museum of Art. I saw lots of beautiful pictures there. We stopped at my Aunt Kitty and Uncle Ed's house for dinner. Oh boy! I am tired! I am going to go to bed now.

Good night!
Meredith

Dayton/Driving
July 18,2009

Dear Journal,
It is now 7:30 p.m. We were in Dayton and it was cold for July! We slept in our car. We traveled 150 miles, about 2 1/2 hours, and went south to get here from Toledo. First we went to the 5 rivers place and there were alot of rivers. Justin wanted to jump in one of them and take a swim but my Mom told him not to. Then we went to the Dayton Courthouse. I found it to be very fancy. My Mom thought it was also very fancy we stayed there awhile then went to Carillon park. I can't exactly describe it but it reminds me of church bells. Next we drove for about 1 1/2 hours back home and now we are here! Altogether we traveled 987 miles and about 16 hours.

Good-bye!
Meredith

My map of my trip around Ohio